Nation's Building News Online

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www.NAHB.org
Week of April 14, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* Housing Have-Nots Deserve a Boost From Congress

Housing Forum

* Letters to the Editor

Environment

* Pygmy Owl Data Sets Precedent for Landowners

Housing Politics

* House Passes Major Home Energy Bill
* Health Plan Bill Advances in Congress
* Bill Would Speed Up Apprenticeship Program Reviews

Housing and Economics

* Spotlight on: Chicago
* Eye on the Economy
* Economists to Examine How Housing Is Holding Up

For Consumers

* High Ceilings a Trend in Reshaping American Homes

Member Dividends

* NAHB Team Helps Builders Win Political Challenges

Green Building

* New Mexico Builder Slashes Construction Waste Costs
* Construction Debris Diverted From Landfills in Milwaukee
* Soy-Bean Based Insulation Wins Green Product Award

Multifamily

* Multifamily Sector Looking at a Mixed Picture
* Job Growth Key to Apartment Market
* Slowdown Expected in Multifamily Lending
* Tax Credit Legwork a Must for Success

Business Management

* Know Your Technology Needs Before You Invest

Construction Safety

* Toolbox Talk: Don’t Overlook Scaffold Safety

Housing Finance

* Discussions on Rural Housing Needs Continue

Labor

* HBI Helping Builders Find Skilled Workers

Building Products

* Performance of CPVC Piping System Unmatched

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* NAHB Board to Meet in Early May
* May 5 Is National Membership Day

NBN Back Issues

 

Builders Denounce New Jersey Anti-Growth Plan

An anti-growth plan being pushed by New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has alarmed home builders across the state and has provoked sharp criticism from NAHB.

In his state of the state address, Gov. McGreevey proposed giving local jurisdictions broad authority to impose one-year building moratoriums. In a letter to the governor, NAHB … [ MORE ]


Building News From Coast to Coast

[ MORE ]

Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

Find out how our forward commitments program can lock in rates for extended periods.
See how you can get a loan with as little as no down payment through Countrywide’s Zero Down Plus Program.

Test  …  …[ MORE ]


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Housing Snapshot

Mortgage interest rates nudged up slightly last week, as the strength of the economy remained in doubt despite encouraging developments from the war in Iraq. Retail sales increased 2.1% in March, more than expected, and the University of Michigan anticipated stronger consumer confidence for April. This good news suggested the economy is not sliding into a double-dip recession, as some had begun to fear, but how long growth will continue to mope along remains an unsettled question. [ MORE ]

Mortgage Interest Rates

30-Year Fixed-Rate: 5.85%
15-Year Fixed-Rate: 5.17%
1-Year ARM: 3.8%

Housing Starts - Feb. 2003*

Total: 1.62 million
Single-Family Starts: 1.3 million
Multifamily Starts: 327,000

New Home Sales Feb. 2003*

854,000

Existing Home Sales Feb. 2003*

5.84 million

* Seasonally adjusted annual rate


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